President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the commitment of West African leaders to reshape the region’s economic diplomacy, declaring that the future of the sub-region lies in collective action, private-sector engagement, and policy coherence.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at a dinner held for delegates attending the West African Economic Summit at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu stressed that the time has come for West Africa to move from missed opportunities to meaningful development.

“While Asia trades 60% within its borders and Europe 70%, Africa lags behind at just 15%, with West Africa faring even worse,” he noted. “Through mechanisms such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the West African Power Pool, and the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, we have laid the foundation. But now, we must build.”

The Abidjan–Lagos corridor, a planned 1,028-kilometre highway linking five West African nations, is one of several regional integration projects Tinubu’s administration has championed as part of a broader push for sustainable economic growth across the ECOWAS bloc.

President Tinubu described the inaugural West African Economic Summit as more than just a gathering it is, he said, a declaration of intent. He noted that his administration conceived the summit as a platform to transition from rhetoric to results, from aspiration to action.

“This summit, anchored by the Deal Room and a formal declaration, represents a shift,” he said. “We are convinced, now more than ever, that the destiny of our region does not rest in government hands alone. It lies in our ability to centre the private sector in our strategic planning.”

He emphasized that the role of political leaders is not to complain but to facilitate—removing obstacles to commerce and innovation, and ensuring that the West African sub-region works for all its people.

“We are here tonight to remind ourselves that in this region, commerce must no longer be stalled by customs delays, nor innovation strangled by policy incoherence,” he said.

In his remarks, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, commended Tinubu’s leadership of the sub-regional body. He acknowledged Nigeria’s consistent support for ECOWAS institutions and peace-building efforts, affirming the country’s central role in shaping a cohesive, forward-thinking West Africa.

“President Tinubu’s leadership reflects Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the peace, stability, and development of our region,” Touray said.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, said the summit reflects a renewed will to dismantle barriers to development and unlock the region’s economic potential. She highlighted efforts to engage youth as a critical part of the region’s development agenda.

“We are working with partners and stakeholders to harness the creativity and energy of our youth,” she said. “We must equip them to take ownership of the region’s future and drive the aspirations of our people.”